Many people are asking why it appears San Bernardino County seems to be ignoring many of the problems occurring at its own Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).

The answer that seems to be surfacing is political.

As in campaign contributions.

Sources tell InlandPolitcs that county politicians routinely request donations from medical service providers. Many of those contributions are handled through various medical groups.

Campaign finance records on file with the County Registrar of Voters indicate medical groups benefiting from lucrative contracts with San Bernardino County routinely contribute thousands of dollars to county supervisors annually.

While normally just a part of politics in this country as whole, what is happening here is a little different. This practice may be intertwined with a situation involving quality of care, saving lives, and potential malpractice cover-up against the backdrop of a profit motive.

Ask yourselves, would you want to be treated at ARMC if you became seriously ill?

If you had to pause before answering the question, that says it all. And tens of thousands of residents have no choice.

If all things were equal, maybe the practice is all right.

But, when conditions deteriorate, as is the case here, it cannot be used as a shield or some form of protection.